After the Ministry of Defense together with SpaceX introduced Starlink terminal verification in February 2025, and Russian access was cut, the problem of satellite communications for the Russian armed forces became critical. This is how Sergiy Beskrestnov, advisor to the Defense Minister ("Flash"), formulated it: they lost Starlink — they lost convenient communication between units.
The old satellite internet terminals used by the occupiers had antennas up to 90 centimeters in diameter. They were poorly camouflaged — and quickly became targets for Ukrainian drone operators. Moscow's response turned out to be predictable: find something smaller and less noticeable.
What is "Spirit-030"
This is a portable satellite internet terminal that works not with low-orbit satellites like Starlink, but with geostationary ones — in particular, according to oboronka.mezha.ua, through satellites of the "Yamal" and "Express" series. The transition to geostationary orbit made it possible to reduce the antenna to 30 centimeters in diameter.
"Essentially, this is the same satellite internet terminal, but it is made portable and works with a special geostationary communication satellite, which allows using antennas not 90 centimeters in diameter, but 30."
Sergiy Beskrestnov ("Flash"), advisor to Ukraine's Defense Minister
A smaller antenna — harder to detect from the air. The terminal can be installed in the rear and connected to forward positions via Wi-Fi bridges, which further reduces the signature directly on the line of contact.
Chronology of appearance
- June 2025 — Spirit-030 terminals first appeared in the armament of the Russian 144th Motorized Rifle Brigade, according to oboronka.mezha.ua.
- September 2025 — they were demonstrated during joint Belarusian-Russian exercises "Sprint".
- April 2026 — Beskrestnov reported mass deliveries of terminals to the front and the first confirmed destruction.
First target destroyed
Pilots of the 414th Unmanned Systems Brigade "Madyar Birds" were the first to spot the Spirit-030 terminal on the front lines and destroyed it with a drone strike. The fact of destruction is confirmed — video evidence was published by the brigade.
Beskrestnov appealed to all drone operators separately: "I ask all pilots to pay attention to this target". This is a signal that a single destruction — is not grounds for complacency: mass deliveries mean that such terminals will become more numerous at the front.
The compactness of Spirit-030 complicates detection, but does not make the terminal invisible — the antenna must still have direct line of sight to the satellite. Geostationary orbit also imposes technical limitations: higher signal latency compared to Starlink, lower bandwidth. The question is how sufficient this connection is for coordinating attacks — and how quickly Ukrainian operators will learn to consistently recognize a 30-centimeter dish among shelters.
